Shameless Idealists: "Get out of my way."

Our little gathering of the Hedge Society is meant to provide some hope to each other in our working and creating lives. It is also meant to pass on some of that hope, meagre and confused as it is from time to time, to our readers.

We often think of idealists as people whose eyes are so blinded by the silver flashing in all the linings that they have no concept of any realities. But as you look to those working on the everyday and the ordinary of bringing hope to dark places, you often see lives inspired by not just the recognition but the embrace of the suffering that comes their way.

Shameless Idealists is a 7 part television series hosted by Craig Kielburger, the founder of Free the Children. Throughout the series, interviewees are asked about giving up, about facing fear, and about being intimidated. Often their answer starts with "I could have..." and ends with "I just decided...". Listen for hope as a decision.

One of my favorite interviews is with Betty Williams. She and I may be far apart in background and approach but it doesn't matter. I love the strength. I love the sense of humor (which seems to be a common chararacteristic of many activists). I love the "up yours" to apathy.

Craig Kielburger: "You took on one of the most intractable conflicts in human history. People must have looked on and said, 'Your actions are futile. You can never bring peace to the Middle East.'What did you say to them?"

Betty Williams: "Get out of my way."